Theme for the New Year's Poetry Reading (1994) : WAVES

Fervently wishingFor a calm untroubled worldWhere no rough waves rise,I welcome with hope and joyThe start of a new year.

Her Majesty the Empress

Early summer,(The Okinawas call it "Urizun"),The surrounding seas arecalm,the waves quiet.AH! You at eternal sleep here,Who gave your lives for this peace.

His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince

Gazing at the viewFrom the inn at journey's endTogether with my wifeThe gentle wavelets rippleOn the waters of Omi.(see note 1)

Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess

I see with you,(see note 2)The calm Lake BiwaWhere waves are quiet and tranquilAnd the glistening moon brightensThe surface of the waters.

In August of 1993, Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako visited Shiga Prefecture in order to attend the National Agricultural Youth Conference. While there, they lodged on the shore of Lake Biwa. These poems recall their sentiments at that time.